“Crafts always do well”: at the Gard Chamber of Trades, realistic but not fatalistic wishes

Décideurs et représentants du monde artisan étaient réunis ce mercredi soir. Midi Libre – E. Be

La traditionnelle mais non conventionnelle cérémonie des voeux de la Chambre de métiers et de l'artisanat était organisée ce mercredi 10 janvier.

"I am not a fan of long speeches, I want to put these wishes into the philosophy of craftsmanship: proximity, simplicity, because craftsmen are not simpletons but simple people, clear in their reasoning – and usefulness."

Leave a free speech

For the president of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Gard, Xavier Perret, this traditional meeting of wishes organized this Wednesday, January 10, was the opportunity to make pass messages. But also to leave free speech. Both to decision-makers, through the voice of Franck Proust, president of Nîmes Métropole, and Senator du Gard Denis Bouad, as well as players in the sector, who were able to express themselves through a question-and-answer game.

The State representative recalled the noble rural character of craftsmanship while Franck Proust praised a "know-how, a lot of skills, an identity", saluting the ' ;craft as "first business in Gard".

These artisans, "creators of the first civilizations"

In the presence of elected officials, decision-makers and representatives of the business world, Xavier Perret outbid this craft, "creator of the first civilizations. Who built the first planes ? Not Airbus! But many craftsmen. Throughout history, craftsmanship has stood out. 

Resilience in the face of crisis

However, the problems of the sector have not been hidden. Whether it is for the building, which is causing "concern" or for bakers, particularly impacted by the energy crisis. Enough to question the president of the federation of bakers of Gard. "We produce electricity at 50 € per megawatt when some craftsmen were billed at 500 € megawatt…" But like "resilience" of the sector praised by Christophe Hardy, the spirit is turned towards innovation. And the project of a Gard baguette, intended to appear on all the tables of the department.

Because as Xavier Perret concluded, "craft is always in motion. We have a strength, we must make it understood."